Symphony No. 6 (Beethoven)

Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 6, the "Pastoral" in F Major (Op. 68), was completed in the year 1808. One of Beethoven's few works of program music, the symphony was labeled at its first performance with the title "Recollections of Country Life."

Form

The symphony breaks from the standard symphonic form of the time in having five movements, rather than the four typical of the Classical era. The movements are marked as follows:

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• I. Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande (Awakening of joyous feelings upon arrival in the country). Allegro ma non troppo
• II. Szene am Bach (By the brook). Andante molto mosso
• III. Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute (Happy gathering of country folk). Allegro
• IV. Gewitter. Sturm (Thunderstorm; Storm). Allegro
• V. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm (Shepherd's song; cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm). Allegretto

The last three movements are performed together without pause.

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The scoring of the symphony differs by movement. For the more lyrical first, second, and final movements, Beethoven specified a fairly small Classical orchestra: two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two French horns, and a string section consisting of the usual first and second violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. For the third movement, these players are joined by two trumpets, and to increase the effectiveness of the storm, Beethoven adds the trumpets, two trombones, timpani, and a piccolo.

Related Topics:
Classical - Flute - Oboe - Clarinet - Bassoon - French horn - Violin - Viola - Cello - Double bass - Trumpet - Trombone - Timpani - Piccolo

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